Tapered cuvette and method of collecting magnetic particles

ABSTRACT

A vessel for use in clinical analysis including an open top, a closed bottom, and at least four tapered sides. A method for collecting magnetic particles in a fluid comprising the steps of providing a magnet and a vessel containing magnetic particles in a fluid, attracting the magnetic particles to the magnet, and moving the magnetic particles with the magnet out of the fluid.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cuvettes for holding samples and more specifically to cuvettes for holding samples to be analyzed in an automated immunoassay device utilizing magnetic particles, and methods thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cuvettes are typically used for holding samples, such as aliquots of a reaction mixture, an environmental sample, blood, urine or fractions thereof, for use in medical diagnostic test procedures requiring optical measurements. Immobilization, capture or recovery of an analyte of interest in the sample may be accomplished using magnetic particles.

A goal of medical laboratories is to enhance laboratory efficiency by automating clinical diagnostic test procedures, such as immunoassay, and increasing throughput. Automated clinical diagnostic devices analyze a greater number of samples than manual assays in a given timeframe, while at the same time minimize the number of interactions between laboratory personnel, the samples, and the clinical diagnostic instrument. Clinical samples, usually available in small quantities, and the reagents used in clinical diagnostic procedures are costly. Automated assays utilizing magnetic particle must capture substantially all of the magnetic particles in a sample to collect and analyze the analyte of interest.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a cuvette for use in an automated clinical diagnostic device that accommodates a small volume of fluid, such as the sample and reagent fluids, and captures, washes, and resuspends the magnetic particles within the small volume of fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein features a vessel for use in automated clinical sample analysis, for example, automated immunoassay.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a device, such as a vessel or cuvette including an open top, a closed bottom, and at least four sides. At least two of the four sides are opposite to each other. In one embodiment, the opposite sides are flat and symmetrical. At least two of the sides of the vessel are tapered from the open top to the closed bottom of the vessel. The vessel has a larger interior cross-sectional area at the open top and a smaller interior cross-sectional area at the closed bottom. The tapered sides of the vessel are tapered at an angle of about 5.82 degrees relative to the normal. In one embodiment, the closed bottom is convex.

In one embodiment of the invention, the combined surface area of the pair of opposite sides is greater than the combined surface area of the other sides. The ratio of the combined surface area of the opposite sides compared to the combined surface area of the other sides is in the range of about 4:1 to about 2:1, preferably about 3:1. In one embodiment of the invention, the interior cross-sectional area of the vessel is greater at the top of the vessel than at the bottom of the vessel.

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one pair of opposite sides is composed of a substantially transparent material.

In one embodiment of the invention, the vessel also contains a flange positioned at the open top of the vessel to hold the vessel in an upright and level position in an analytical instrument. In another embodiment of the invention, the vessel comprises two flanges that extend 1.33 mm outward from the top of the vessel on opposite sides of the vessel. In another embodiment, the flange extends substantially the same distance from the sides of the vessel on all sides.

In one embodiment of the invention, the vessel also contains a projection on an exterior surface of one side of the vessel. The projection extends from the flange and along the side of the vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, the vessel is stacked with like vessels. The projections on the sides of the vessel serve to separate the vessels when in a stacked configuration. The exterior surface of a first vessel and the interior surface of a second vessel define a space between the first and second vessels of at least 4.5 mm. In one embodiment, the space between the vessels is substantially equivalent to the depth of the projection.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a vessel cartridge for loading vessels in an automated clinical diagnostic device. The vessel cartridge comprises a plurality of vessels. The exterior surface of a first vessel and the interior surface of a second vessel define a space between the first and second vessels. The space between the first and second vessels is at least 4.5 mm. In another embodiment, the space between the first and second vessels is defined by a projection on the surface of the first vessel. The vessel cartridge may be loaded onto and automatically fed into an automated clinical diagnostic device.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for collecting magnetic particles comprising the steps of providing a magnet and a vessel containing magnetic particles in a fluid, attracting the magnetic particles to the magnet, and moving the magnetic particles with the magnet out of the fluid. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of removing the fluid from the vessel after the magnetic particles have been moved out of the fluid. In one embodiment, the magnet is moved to move the magnetic particles out of the fluid. In another embodiment, the vessel is moved to move the magnetic particles out of the fluid.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for washing magnetic particles in a vessel. The device includes a holder comprising a lumen or receiving the vessel. The holder includes a straight side and a sloped side opposite to the straight side. The straight side includes a lever arm that is reciprocally moveable from a position within the holder lumen to a position outside the holder lumen. The lever arm is biased toward the holder lumen to retain the vessel in the holder lumen. In one embodiment of the invention, the lever arm further includes a spring. In another embodiment of the invention, the device further includes a magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other aspects of this invention will be readily apparent from the detailed description below and the appended drawings, which are meant to generally illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a tapered vessel according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a tapered vessel according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a tapered vessel including a projection according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a projection on a side of a tapered vessel according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of two stacked tapered vessels according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a schematic drawing of a tapered vessel entering a magnetic particle washing device and engaging with a magnet.

FIG. 6B is a schematic drawing of the tapered vessel in a magnetic particle washing device shown in FIG. 6A following capture of the magnetic particles to the side of the vessel, and moved out of the fluid as the magnet is moved toward the top of the vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention, described herein, relates to a vessel, such as an optical cuvette, for use in clinical analytical instruments, including immunoassay instruments. The embodiments of the invention described below have the following common features: a vessel including an open top and a closed bottom, at least four sides, and at least two of the four sides are tapered. The sides also include at least two sides that are opposite to each other and are flat. The tapered sides are tapered from the open top to the closed bottom.

In general, the vessel is a cuvette that serves as a reservoir for washing, rinsing, or otherwise manipulating magnetic particles, such as beads, in a fluid medium such as a suspension or a solution including analytical reagents.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a tapered vessel according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the illustrative vessel 2 has an open top 20 and a closed bottom 18. The vessel 2 has at least four sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ and at least two of the at least four sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ oppose each other. These two opposite sides, for example the two opposite sides 4 b, 4 b′, form a pair of opposite sides. The vessel 2 may have more than four sides, such as 5, 6, 7, 8 or more.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the pair of opposite sides, for example 4 b, 4 b′, are flat, meaning the entire surface of each side 4 b, 4 b′ is substantially planar and does not bend or arc outside the plane. In another embodiment of the invention, two pairs of opposite sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ are flat. In another embodiment, the vessel may have more than four sides (not shown) and more than two pairs of opposite sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ are flat.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, one pair of opposite sides includes an optical window in each side of the pair of sides for use in an optical measurement instrument, for example, a spectrophotometer. The pair of optical sides including an optical window, for example 4 b, 4 b′, are symmetrical, meaning the sides 4 b, 4 b′ have identical widths at the top 20 of the vessel 2 and at the bottom 18 of the vessel 2, respectively, and the sides 4 b, 4 b′ have identical taper angles 24 from the top 20 of the vessel 2 to the bottom 18 of the vessel 2. The taper angles 24 of the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ are measured from the top 20 of the vessel 2, parallel to and relative to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2 and range from 4 to 10 degrees. In one embodiment, each side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ forms an isosceles trapezoid.

Referring still to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the surface area of the pair of sides 4 b, 4 b′ including an optical window is greater than the surface area of the sides 4 a, 4 a′ that do not include optical windows. The ratio of the surface area of the sides 4 b, 4 b′ including an optical window to the surface area of the sides 4 a, 4 a′ that do not include an optical window is in the range of about 4:1 to about 2:1, preferably 3:1. In another embodiment according to the invention, the surface area of each side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 is equal (not shown).

The sides not including an optical window, for example 4 a, 4 a′, serve as magnetic particle engagement sites during magnetic particle wash procedures. For example, the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′, according to one embodiment, are flat, more narrow than the sides 4 b, 4 b′ having optical windows, and form one or more pairs of opposite sides. During a magnetic wash procedure, the flat surface of the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′ provides a uniform surface for a magnet (not shown) to engage the vessel 2, and thereby creates a uniform magnetic flux density across the entire surface of the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′. When the magnet is engaged with the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2, magnetic particles are attracted to the magnet and accumulate uniformly along the flat surface of the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′. The advantage of a flat surface compared to a curved or arched surface is that a curved or arched particle engagement surface engages a magnet at only one central point of engagement and the magnet exerts a very strong flux density at this point. Surfaces adjoining this central point of magnet engagement experience a reduced magnetic flux density. As a result of the variable magnetic flux density, the magnetic particles congregate and stack upon one another at the point of greatest flux density. When particles stack, fewer magnetic particles are pulled out of the solution and a greater number of magnetic particles are destroyed, damaged, or lost during the magnetic wash procedure. Particle stacking also traps contaminants and other waste materials between particles, resulting in inadequate particle washing.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the closed bottom 18 of the vessel 2 may have various shapes, including, for example, convex, concave or flat, relative to the interior volume of the vessel 2. The corners between the closed bottom 18 and the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 may have various shapes, including, for example, rounded or square. The closed bottom 18 of the vessel 2 has a surface area that is less than the surface area of the open top 20 of the vessel 2.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 are tapered from the open top 20 of the vessel 2 to the closed bottom 18 of the vessel 2. The sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ are tapered such that the interior cross-sectional area 22 of the vessel 2, measured in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2, is greater at the top 20 of the vessel 2 than at the bottom 18 of the vessel 2. The sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 are tapered at an angle 24 of about 5 degrees to about 7 degrees relative to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2, preferably about 5.8 degrees.

The tapered sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 facilitate attraction of the magnetic particles to one side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 by a magnet, for example, a magnet composed of Neodymium, in a clinical instrument used to separate magnetic particles from the fluid medium in which they are suspended. For example, a magnet (not shown) attracts the magnetic particles in the narrow bottom 18 of the vessel 2, where the magnetic particles travel a shorter distance. The magnet is then moved vertically along the side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2, carrying with it the magnetic particles. In a preferred embodiment, collection of magnetic particles occurs along the narrow, particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 illustrated in FIG. 1. Collecting the magnetic particles along the narrow width of the flat particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 requires less time for particle separation and results in fewer lost particles than in a cylindrical vessel that is cylindrical in shape and has curved or bowed sides.

The tapered sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 also facilitate optical reading of a fluid sample contained within the vessel 2. In a preferred embodiment, the optical side 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 is used for optical reading. The optical side 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 is wider than the particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel. In combination with the adjacent narrow, particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′, the tapered vessel 2 provides a large surface area on the optical side 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 for optical detection, requiring a small volume of fluid for analysis.

Referring still to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the vessel 2 has a liquid volume of about 0 uL to about 1300 uL, preferably about 450 uL to about 1340 uL, and more preferably about 450 uL.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, in one embodiment according to the invention, the vessel 2 includes projections 8 on the exterior surface 38 of opposite sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ at the top 20 of the vessel 2. In one embodiment, the vessel 2 contains projections 8 on one pair of opposite sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′. In another embodiment, the vessel 2 contains projections 8 on more than one pair of opposite sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, the vessel 2 contains projections 8 on the pair of narrow, particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a tapered vessel. The exemplary vessel 2 includes a flange 14, 14′ around the perimeter of the open top 20, extending a distance 30, 30′, respectively, from the interior surface 40 of the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2. In one embodiment, the flange 14, 14′ extends in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2. In one embodiment, the width of the flange 14, 14′ is substantially equal on each side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 and extends a distance 30, 30′, respectively, of about 1 mm to about 2 mm from the interior surface 40 of the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 on the top 20 of the vessel 2, preferably about 1.5 mm. In another embodiment, the flange 14 on the optical sides 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 extends an equal distance 30, but a distance unequal to the distance 30′ the flange 14′ extends on the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′. In another embodiment, the flange 14, 14′ extends an unequal distance 30, 30′ on each side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′. In a preferred embodiment, the flange 14 on the optical sides 4 b, 4 b′ extends a distance 30 of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm and the flange 14′ on the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′ extends a distance 30′ of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, preferably about 0.5 mm. The flange 14, 14′ serves to hold the vessel 2 in an upright and level position. In another embodiment, the vessel 2 does not have a flange.

Referring still to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, each of the inner corners 26 of the vessel 2, where the optical sides 4 b, 4 b′ and the particle engagement sides 4 a, 4 a′ meet form an angle in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees, preferably about 80 degrees to about 100 degrees, and more preferably 90 degrees. Right angled corners maximize the internal volume of the vessel 2 while minimizing, for example, the length of the vessel 2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a tapered vessel including a projection according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention, the vessel 2 contains a projection 8 that extends from the top 20 of the vessel 2 and along the side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 a length 10 of about 4 mm to about 7 mm, preferably about 5 mm. The projection 8 projects from the side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 a width 12 of about 3 mm to about 4 mm, preferably about 3.5 mm. In another embodiment, the width 12 of the projection 8 extends the entire width of the side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the projection 8 is centered on the side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel with respect to the top 20 surface of the vessel 2. The bottom 44 of the projection 8 may have a variety of shapes, including, for example, rounded, pointed, or flat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a projection on a side of a tapered vessel according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The top width 50 of the exemplary projection 8 is equal to the width 30, 30′ of the corresponding flange 14, 14′ along the corresponding side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2. In another embodiment, the top width 50 of the projection 8 is greater or less than the width 30, 30′ of the corresponding flange 14, 14′ along the corresponding side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel by an amount in the range of about 0.1% to about 30%.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention, the exterior surface 52 of the projection 8 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2. The angle between the exterior surface 52 of the projection 8 and the exterior surface 38 of the side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 is substantially equal to the taper angle 24 of the side 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 relative to the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2.

The vessel 2, according to one embodiment of the invention, is composed of a substantially translucent polymer or other substance known to those in the field with similar optical qualities. The polymer may be for example polypropylene, polyethylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of two stacked tapered vessels according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The illustrative vessel 2 is stackable with like vessels 2. A first vessel 2 is inserted, along the vertical axis 28 of the vessel 2, into a second vessel 2′. When in a stacked configuration, in one embodiment, the bottom 44 of the projection 8 of the first vessel 2 is supported on the top 20 of the second vessel 2′. In another embodiment, the first vessel 2 is supported on the flange 14′ of the second vessel 2′. The tops 20, 20′ of the vessels 2, 2′, respectively, are separated by a distance 58 substantially equal to the length 10 of the projection 8. The distance 58 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′ is about 4 mm to about 5 mm, preferably 4.2 mm.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the invention, when the vessels 2, 2′ are in a stacked configuration, the exterior surface 38 of the first vessel 2 is separated from the interior surface 40′ of the second vessel 2′ by a separation gap 60. The separation gap 60 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′ is determined by the length 10 of the projection 8. Increasing the length 10 of the projection 8 increases the separation gap 60 between the vessels 2, 2′. Decreasing the length 10 of the projection 8 decreases the separation gap 60 between the vessels 2, 2′.

The separation gap 60 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′ is advantageous because the gap 60 prevents the surfaces 38, 40′ of the vessels 2, 2′ from touching and being scratched. Scratches on the sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 interfere with the transmission of an analytical beam of light through the two opposite optical sides 4 b, 4 b′ and through a fluid sample contained by the vessel 2. Interference with light transmission alters the characteristics of a sample measured by analytical instruments that use light, for example, spectrophotometers.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, in one embodiment, a plurality of vessels 2 are stacked to form a vessel cartridge 92 for loading vessels 2 in an automated clinical diagnostic device. The vessel cartridge 92 comprises a plurality of vessels 2, with the exterior surface 38 of a first vessel 2 and the interior surface 40′ of a second vessel 2′ defining a gap 60 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′. The gap 60 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′ is in the range of about 0 mm to about 0.25 mm, preferably about 0.1 mm. The gap 60 between the first vessel 2 and the second vessel 2′ is defined by the projection 8 on the exterior surface 38 of the first vessel 2. The vessel cartridge 92 contains 10 to 20 vessels 2, preferably 15 vessels 2.

Referring still to FIG. 5, by stacking the vessel 2 in the vessel cartridge 92, a greater number of vessels 2 may be arranged in a smaller volume than the same number of vessels not stacked. The vessel cartridge 92 loads a plurality of vessels 2 onto a clinical analytical instrument in one step. A vessel loader (not shown) located on the clinical analytical instrument automatically feeds one vessel 2 into the clinical analytical instrument at a time as needed. The vessel cartridge 92 also maintains the sterility of interior vessels during storage and requires less operator interaction.

FIG. 6A is a schematic drawing of a tapered vessel entering a magnetic particle washing device and engaging with a magnet. The illustrative vessel 2 is used in an automated clinical diagnostic device (not shown) including a magnetic particle washing device 90 and undergoes one or more particle wash procedures. An automated clinical diagnostic device may have one or more than one magnetic particle washing device 90 station(s), for example 2, 4, 8, or 12 stations. The particle wash procedure includes the steps of diluting a reaction fluid 80, for example, a sample, in the vessel 2 with a wash solution, magnetically attracting the magnetic particles 82 in the reaction fluid 80 to the particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2, aspirating the reaction fluid 80 to a waste container (not shown), and washing the magnetic particles 82 with an injected wash solution (not shown).

In the magnetic particle washing device 62, according to one embodiment of the invention, the vessel 2 is kept in place in a vessel holder 62 by a lever arm 64, for example, a spring-loaded lever arm 64. As the vessel 2 is lowered into the vessel holder 62, the force of the vessel 2 compresses the spring 84 of the lever arm 64. The body of the lever arm 64 retracts into the body of the vessel holder 62 a distance 86 measured from the interior surface of the vessel holder 62 to the exterior surface of the lever arm 64. In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the vessel holder 62 is cut out to allow the lever arm 64 to pass through the vessel holder 62. The tension of the spring-loaded lever arm 64 maintains the vessel 2 in the proper orientation within the vessel holder 62.

Referring still to FIG. 6A, in one embodiment according to the invention, the vessel 2 is lowered into the vessel holder 62 and is engaged by the magnet 66. The magnet 66 first engages the vessel 2 at the narrow bottom 18 of the vessel 2. The magnetic particles 82 suspended in the fluid 80 are attracted to the magnet 66 and collect along the particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 at the location where the magnet 66 is engaged with the vessel 2. The magnetic particles 82 are collected in the narrow bottom 18 portion of the vessel 2, where the magnetic particles 82 travel a short distance and low magnetic flux density is needed to pull the magnetic particles 82 out of the fluid 80. The magnet 66 then moves upward along the particle engagement side 4 a, 4 a′ of the vessel 2 toward the top 20 of the vessel 2, carrying the magnetic particles 82 in the direction toward the top 20 of the vessel 2. In one embodiment, the magnet is a Neodymium magnet, for example, having a facing surface area in the range of about 20 mm² to about 30 mm², preferably about 25 mm², and a magnetic strength in the range of about 12,000 Gauss to about 13,000 Gauss, preferably about 12,500 Gauss [Grade 38 Neodymium magnet].

FIG. 6B is a schematic drawing of the tapered vessel in a magnetic particle washing device shown in FIG. 6A following capture of the magnetic particles on to the side of the vessel, by the magnet, and moved out of the fluid. The illustrative vessel 2 is lowered into the vessel holder 62, and the force of the spring-loaded lever arm 64 tilts the vessel 2 until the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2 against the magnet 66 is substantially vertical. In the tilted position, the opposite side 4 a′ of the vessel 2 against the lever arm 64 is held at an angle 68 of about 10 degrees to about 14 degrees relative to the vertical surface of the vessel holder 62, preferably about 12 degrees. The angle 68 of the opposite side 4 a′ of the vessel 2 in the tilted position is substantially equal to twice the taper angle 24 of the vessel 2 when the vessel 2 is centered about its vertical axis 28. In the same tilted position, the bottom 18 of the vessel 2 is held at an angle 70 of about 4 degrees to about 6 degrees relative to the horizontal surface of the vessel holder 62, preferably about 5 degrees. The angle 68 of the bottom 18 of the vessel 2 in the tilted position is substantially equal to the taper angle 24 of the vessel 2 when the vessel 2 is centered about its vertical axis 28.

Referring still to FIG. 6B, in one method according to the invention, as the vessel 2 is lowered into the vessel holder 62, the position of the magnet 66 moves relative to the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2. As the magnet 66 moves along the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2, the magnetic particles 82 remain attracted to the magnet 66 and move with the magnet 66 relative to the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2. In one embodiment, the vessel 2 is held stationary while the vessel holder 62, the magnet 66, and the magnetic particles 82 are moved in an upward direction. In another embodiment, the vessel holder 62, the magnet 66, and the magnetic particles 82 are held stationary while the vessel 2 is moved in a downward direction. By either means of moving the particles along the particles engagement side 4 a, 4 a′, of the vessel 2, the magnetic particles 82 are moved from within the fluid 80 toward the top 20 of the vessel 2 along the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2 and out of the fluid 80.

With continued reference to FIG. 6B, in one method according to the invention for removing the fluid, for example, wash fluid, reagent fluid or sample fluid, the tilted vessel 2 is held in a tilted position while an aspirator probe 78 is lowered into the vessel 2 to a point of aspiration 72. The point of aspiration 72 is formed at the corner of the tilted opposite side 4 a′ of the vessel 2, held at an angle 68 relative to the vertical surface of the vessel holder 62, and the titled bottom 18 of the vessel 2, held at an angle 70 relative to the horizontal surface of the vessel holder 62. In this position, the fluid medium 80 within the vessel 2 flows toward the point of aspiration 72 and is aspirated out of the vessel 2 by the aspirator probe 78. The point of aspiration 72 created by the tilted vessel 2 allows a more complete aspiration than if the vessel 2 was level and aspiration was conducted across the entire surface area of the bottom 18 of the vessel 2. The tapered sides 4 a, 4 a′, 4 b, 4 b′ of the vessel 2 allow the vessel 2 to tilt and to assume a point of aspiration 72.

Referring still to FIG. 6B, according to one method of the invention, the magnetic particles 82 are drawn out of the fluid 80 and held above the fluid 80 along the particle engagement side 4 a of the vessel 2 before the fluid 80 is aspirated out of the vessel 2. Holding the magnetic particles 82 out of the fluid 80 reduces the number of magnetic particles 82 lost during fluid aspiration.

EXAMPLE

In the following examples, a vessel containing 450 uL±30 uL of fluid medium and magnetic particles [Dynabeads M280, Dynal, Oslo, Denmark] was placed in a magnetic particle washing device of an automated clinical diagnostic device. If the fluid volume was below 420 uL, fluid medium was added until the desired fluid volume was reached. The magnet was moved to contact the vessel and was held stationary for about 25 seconds to separate the magnetic particles from the fluid medium. Once the magnetic particles were separated, the magnet moved upward, pulling the magnetic particles above the meniscus of the fluid medium and holding the magnetic particles above the fluid while the aspiration probe removed the fluid medium. After aspiration, the magnet was moved downward, resubmerging the magnetic particles in the fluid medium.

After the fluid was aspirated out of the vessel, rinse solution was injected into the vessel by an injector tube located above the top of the vessel. Rinse solution was injected at an angle directed toward the particle engagement side of the vessel. The magnetic particles are washed down the vessel wall thereby resuspending the magnetic particles in the wash solution. Several wash cycles may be performed, depending on the assay. In each wash cycle, the steps of magnetic separation of the particles from the fluid medium, aspiration of the fluid medium, and washing by injecting rinse solution are repeated, followed by a final aspiration of the fluid medium before analysis of the vessel contents.

Holding the magnetic particles 82 out of the fluid 80 reduces the number of magnetic particles 82 lost during aspiration to a rate of about 0.0% to about 0.5% of the total number of magnetic particles that were in the fluid medium per cycle. In trials using the same device, but retaining the magnetic particles 82 within the fluid 80 during aspiration, the number of magnetic particles 82 lost during aspiration increased to a rate of about 5% to about 20%. The percent loss was determined by measuring the absorbence of the vessel after 1 to 10 magnetic particle wash cycles at 500 nm and subtracting the measured absorbence from the average absorbence from 3 to 5 reference vessels which did not undergo magnetic particle washing. 

1. A vessel for use in clinical analysis, comprising: a) an open top; b) a closed bottom; c) at least four sides; d) wherein at least two of the at least four sides are opposite to each other and the two opposite sides are flat and at least two of the at least four sides are tapered from the open top to the closed bottom of the vessel.
 2. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the closed bottom is convex.
 3. The vessel of claim 1 wherein opposite sides are symmetrical.
 4. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the combined surface area of a pair of opposite sides is greater than the combined surface area of the other sides.
 5. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the combined surface area of opposite sides to the combined surface area of non-opposite sides is in the range of about 4:1 to about 2:1.
 6. The vessel of claim 5 wherein the ratio is about 3:1.
 7. The vessel of claim 1 wherein at least one pair of opposite sides is composed of a substantially transparent material.
 8. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the interior cross-sectional area of the vessel is greater at the top of the vessel than at the bottom of the vessel.
 9. The vessel of claim 1 wherein at least two of the sides are tapered at an angle of 5.8 degrees relative to the vertical.
 10. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the vessel further comprises a flange positioned at the top of the vessel.
 11. The vessel of claim 10 wherein the vessel comprises two flanges that extend 1.33 mm outward from the top of the vessel on opposite sides of the vessel.
 12. The vessel of claim 10 wherein the flange extends substantially the same distance from the sides of the vessel on all sides.
 13. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the top of the vessel further comprises a projection on an exterior surface of one side.
 14. The vessel of claim 1 wherein the vessel is stacked with like vessels.
 15. The vessel of claim 14 wherein the exterior surface of a first vessel and the interior surface of a second vessel define a gap between the first and second vessels of at least 0.01 mm.
 16. The stack of vessels of claim 14 wherein the gap between the vessels is substantially equivalent to the depth of the projection.
 17. A vessel cartridge for loading vessels in an automated clinical diagnostic device, comprising a plurality of vessels, wherein the exterior surface of a first vessel and the interior surface of a second vessel define a space between the first and second vessels.
 18. The vessel cartridge of claim 17 wherein the space between the first and second vessels is at least 4 mm.
 19. The vessel cartridge of claim 17 wherein the space between the first and second vessels is further defined by a projection on the surface of the first vessel.
 20. A method for collecting magnetic particles comprising the steps of: a) providing a magnet and a vessel containing magnetic particles in a fluid; b) attracting the magnetic particles to the magnet; c) moving the magnetic particles with the magnet out of the fluid.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the step of removing the fluid from the vessel after the magnetic particles have been moved out of the fluid.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the magnet is moved to move the magnetic particles out of the fluid.
 23. The method of claim 20 wherein the vessel is moved to move the magnetic particles out of the fluid.
 24. A device for washing magnetic particles in a vessel, comprising: a holder comprising a lumen for receiving the vessel, the holder comprising a straight side and a sloped side opposite to the straight side, the sloped side comprising a lever arm wherein said lever arm is reciprocally moveable from a position within said holder lumen to a position outside said holder lumen, and said lever arm is biased toward said holder lumen to retain said vessel in said holder lumen.
 25. The device of claim 24 wherein said lever arm comprises a spring.
 26. The device of claim 24 further comprising a magnet. 